Adjustable support apparatus

ABSTRACT

An adjustable support apparatus including a pole having a plurality of first elements exposed at an exterior surface of the pole. The apparatus also including a clamping member having a top surface, an outer surface and an inner surface having a second element. The second element cooperating with one of the first elements such that said clamping member is at least loosely affixed to the pole. The apparatus further including a collar adapted to be positioned about the clamping element. The clamping member affixing the collar to the pole.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a stand for mounting a peripheraldevice and, more particularly, to a pole stand for elevating andsupporting a flat-screen peripheral device, such as a computer monitoror television.

Adjustable stands for use with electronic or other equipment are knownin the prior art. Such stands are useful when it is required to elevatea device off a floor, desk or other surface, in order that the devicemeets eye-level or some other desired height. Stands also serve to holdcumbersome objects that are not designed to be placed directly on asurface due to ventilation requirements or other concerns.

In conjunction with stands, it is known in the art to also providemechanical extension arms and/or tilters in order to position thesupported equipment. Typically, an extension arm is attached to thestand and may then be attached to, among other things, a computermonitor. The arm enables the user to linearly position the device alongone or more axis. Such extensions are shown and described in U.S. Pat.Nos. 6,726,167 and 6,854,698, the disclosures of which are herebyincorporated by reference herein.

In order that the device may be positioned with even greater precision,a tilter or mounting structure is typically employed that allows thedevice to be rotated about one or more axis. The tilter or mountingstructure may be attached to the extension arm previously discussed orattached directly to the stand. Once such tilter is shown and describedin U.S. Pat. No. 6,505,988, the disclosure of which is herebyincorporated by reference herein.

Prior art adjustable stands generally include a connecting element suchas a clamp or ring which enables an adjustable arm to be affixed to asupport pole. The connecting element or clamp includes a set-screw,which may be tightened against the pole so that the clamp is securelyaffixed to the pole. The set-screw may either engage an exterior surfaceof the pole or may be partially driven into a recess or indent of thepole. Unfortunately, this design has a disadvantage that aftersuccessive uses and reconfiguration of the support assembly, the supportpole may be damaged, scratched or contain blemishes caused by theinteraction of the set-screw against the exterior surface of the pole.

It can also be difficult to properly line up the set-screw with therecess to ensure a secure connection. Additionally, the loosening andtightening of the set screw can cause the set screw to become displacedfrom the clamp and subsequently lost, or can cause the threads on theset-screw to be stripped, resulting on a loose connection.

Thus, there is a need for a pole stand device that is suitable forsupporting an electronic peripheral device, such as a flat screencomputer monitor or television, that can accommodate various extensionarms and tilters, that are easily assembled, and even after multipleuses does not mar the exterior surface of the pole.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to an adjustable support apparatushaving a pole with a plurality of first elements exposed at an exteriorsurface of the pole. The pole further includes a longitudinal axis. Theapparatus also includes a clamping member having a top surface, an outersurface and an inner surface having a second element. The second elementcooperates with one of the plurality of first elements such that theclamping member is at least loosely affixed to the pole with the innersurface of the clamping member being juxtaposed to the exterior surfaceof the pole.

The apparatus further includes a collar having an inner surface, a topsurface, a bottom surface and an aperture extending from said topsurface to said bottom surface. The inner surface of the collarpreferably includes an inwardly-projecting ridge. The aperture of thecollar is adapted for receiving the pole therein such that the collar istranslatable about the longitudinal axis of the pole. The collar ispreferably positioned about the clamping member so that the aperture ofthe collar receives the clamping member therein and theinwardly-projecting ridge abuts the top surface of the clamping member,thereby retaining the collar on the clamping member in at least onedirection.

In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the clampingmember is C-shaped and includes a first end and a second end remote fromeach other. The clamping member preferably has a cavity defined by theinner surface of the clamping member, wherein the pole is receivedwithin the cavity of the clamping member. The clamping member ispreferably flexible such that a distance between the first end of thesecond end may be increased or decreased. The top surface of theclamping member preferably includes a chamfered edge.

The inner surface of the collar is preferably circular and in oneembodiment, the inwardly-projecting ridge extends entirely around theinner surface of the collar.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the outer surface of theclamping member has a first diameter when in an at-rest position and theinner surface of the collar has a second diameter. The second diameteris less than the first diameter such that when the aperture of thecollar receives the clamping member therein, the collar exerts aninwardly-directed force against the clamping member which subsequentlycauses the clamping member to abut the pole.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the first elements may be anindent and the second element may be a protrusion. In one embodiment ofthe present invention, the indents are aligned in a straight line alongthe exterior of the pole. Additionally, the indents and protrusion mayhave similar corresponding shapes and may be circular.

The apparatus may also include an adjustable arm connectable to the poleat a first end thereof. Additionally, the apparatus may also include amounting stand connected to the pole at a second end thereof.

In another aspect of the present invention, the adjustable supportapparatus may include an engagement means positioned between the poleand the collar for affixing the collar to the pole. Additionally, in analternate embodiment of the present invention, the collar means may beprovided securable to the pole. Additionally, an engagement means ispositioned between the pole and the collar means for affixing the collarmeans to the pole. At least a portion of the engagement means isreceived within a receiving means of the pole.

In a method of assembling an adjustable support apparatus according tothe present invention, a pole is placed in an upright position. Next aclamping member is placed in a position about the pole with the clampingmember having a second element thereon while the pole has a firstelement exposed thereon. The clamping member may be translated along thelongitudinal axis of the pole until reaching the desired position. Theclamping member is then affixed to the pole at the desired position byengaging the second element of the clamping member with one of theplurality of first elements of the pole. A collar is then placed aboutthe clamping member. The collar being affixed to the clamping member inat least one direction. Additionally, the collar may provide aninwardly-directed radial pressure against the clamping member, therebycausing the clamping member to abut the exterior surface of the pole.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings in which relatively like characters denote similarelements throughout the several views:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pole stand having a pole, a collar anda clamping element according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a pole of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 a is a perspective view of the clamping element of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 b is a top view of the clamping element of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 a is a top perspective view of the collar of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 b is a bottom perspective view of the collar of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 illustrates one method of assembly of the adjustable supportapparatus support illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 illustrates an assembled adjustable support apparatus accordingto one embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 7 illustrates an alternate embodiment of a pole used in conjunctionwith an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to an adjustable support apparatussuitable for mounting various components such as flat-screen electronicdevices, such as computer monitors, televisions and the like, and amethod of mounting the same.

As shown in FIG. 1, the adjustable support apparatus 1 includes a pole10, a clamping element 12 and a collar 14. Adjustable support apparatus1 may include varying numbers of each element as will be describedbelow. Clamping element 12 and collar 14, as shown in FIG. 1 arepositioned about pole 10, and although not shown in FIG. 1 are designedto engage one another. Specific features and aspects of the individualelements will now be described with reference to the figures.

As shown in FIG. 2, pole 10 preferably includes at least one indent 20but more preferably a plurality of indents 20 exposed at an exteriorsurface 22 of the pole. The pole preferably also includes a proximal end24 and a distal end 26. Pole 10 may be a hollow cylinder as shown inFIG. 2 or may also be a solid cylinder with indents 20. Of course, pole10 may also have various other geometric shapes without deviating fromthe scope of the present invention, e.g., square, polygonal, oval andthe like.

In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the plurality ofindents 20 is exposed at an exterior surface 22 of pole 10. For ease andefficiency of manufacturing, a straight-line arrangement is preferred asshown in FIG. 2. However, indents 20 may be exposed at exterior surface22 in various other patterns and arrays. For example, indents 20 maypresent a spiral pattern, a Peg-Board pattern, be aligned in adjacentrows or the like. Indents 20 may also be dispersed about pole 10 in arandom array. In addition, the present invention contemplates variousnumbers of indents 20 being dispersed about pole 10, including only asingle indent. Indents 20 are preferably spaced at least one inch apart.The spacing between adjacent indents 20 may be enlarged or lessened inorder to provide the desired position ranges required, as will bedescribed below. Indents 20 may extend substantially along an entirelongitudinal axis 28 of pole 10 from proximal end 24 to distal end 26 oronly along a portion thereof.

Indents 20 may be dimples or recesses exposed about exterior surface 22.In an alternate embodiment, indents 20 may actually be aperturesextending to a center or hollow chamber of pole 10. Indents 20 may alsoextend entirely through pole 10 so that openings of indents 20 areexposed at both sides of the pole. Indents 20 are preferable circularalthough this is not required. Pole 10 is preferably constructed from ametal such as steel, aluminum or the like.

As shown in FIGS. 3 a and 3 b, in one preferred embodiment, clampingelement 12 includes an inner surface 30 and an outer surface 32.Although the inner and outer surfaces are substantially arc-shaped,various other geometric shapes may be used without deviating from thescope of the present invention. Desirably, inner surface 30 hassubstantially the same shape as exterior surface 22 of pole 10. Clampingelement 12 further includes a top surface 34 and a bottom surface 36.Clamping element 12 is preferably substantially U-shaped or C-shaped andincludes a first end 37 and a second end 39 remote from one another.Opening 43 leads into a cavity 45 and separates first end 37 and secondend 39 from one another. The distance of opening 43 when clampingelement 12 is in its at rest position is preferably less than a diameterof pole 10, so that the clamping element 12 can surround at least 50% ofthe circumference of pole 10. More preferably, in the at rest position,clamping element 12 surrounds at least 67% of the circumference of pole10. Clamping element 12 is preferably flexible so as to permit theincrease and decrease in the size of opening 43 and is preferablyconstructed from a plastic, spring steel or the like. The at restposition of the clamping element corresponds to the shape of theclamping element that is when it is not subjected to a radially directedinward or outward force.

Clamping element 12 may also include a chamfered edge 40 positionedadjacent and between top surface 34 and inner surface 30, the purpose ofwhich will be described below.

Clamping element 12 preferably further includes a protrusion 52extending radially inwardly from inner spherical surface 30. Protrusion52 preferably includes cylindrical sidewall 54 in communication withinner surface 30 and cap 56. Cap 56 is adjacent to cylindrical sidewall54 and remote from inner surface 30. Cap 56 is preferably circular. Morepreferably, cap 56 has substantially the same geometry as an indent 20.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, cylindrical sidewall54 may include a decline or chamfered edge 58 remote from inner surface30 and adjacent to cap 56.

In a preferred embodiment, as described below, cylindrical sidewall 54preferably has a radius substantially the same or slightly less than aradius of indents 20. Chamfered edge 58 enables cap 56 and thus a firstend of protrusion 52, to have a smaller diameter than cylindricalsidewall 54.

As illustrated in FIGS. 4 a and 4 b, collar 14 includes a top surface60, a bottom surface 62 and an aperture 64 extending therethrough.Collar 14 preferably has a cylindrical shape and includes aradially-extending sidewall 66 extending downwardly from top surface 60and adjacent thereto. As with clamping element 12, collar 14 may havealternate geometric shapes. Collar 14 also preferably includesradially-extending decline wall 68 extending between and adjacent tosidewall 66 and bottom surface 62. Decline wall 68 is preferablyincluded for aesthetic purposes and allows for a smooth transitionbetween pole 10 and sidewall 66 of collar 14, when the collar is affixedto the pole, as will be described below. Decline wall 68 has a downwardslope from sidewall 66 to bottom surface 62.

As shown in FIGS. 4 a and 4 b, collar 14 also preferably includescircumferential wall 70 extending downwardly from top surface 60 andpartially defining aperture 64. Desirably, adjacent to circumferentialwall 70 is shoulder 72, best shown in FIG. 4 b. Although shoulder 72 andcircumferential wall 70 are shown extending 360 degrees about aperture64, in an alternate embodiment circumferential wall 70 and shoulder 72may have gaps dispersed between their lengths so that they resemble aplurality of flanges extending inwardly towards a center of aperture 64.

Extending downwardly and adjacent to shoulder 72 is circumferential wall74. Circumferential wall 74 preferably extends to and is adjacent withbottom surface 62 as well as shoulder 72.

In one method of assembly, as shown in FIG. 5, first end 37 and secondend 39 of clamping element 12 may be stretched apart from the at restposition, such that opening 43 is increased in size until the opening islarge enough to place the clamping element about pole 10. With first end37 and second end 39 spread wide so that clamping element 12 is in anopen position, pole 10 is received within cavity 45. First end 37 andsecond end 39 are released and spring back to at least partially retainpole 10 within clamping element 12. In such an arrangement, innersurface 30 of clamping element 12 is juxtaposed against exterior surface22 of pole 10.

Preferably, clamping element 12 is loosely secured to pole 10 in such amanner that the clamping element may be translated along exteriorsurface 22 of pole 10 along the direction of longitudinal axis 28.Clamping element 12 preferably translated about pole 10 until a desiredposition or height is obtained. In order to affix clamping element 12 topole 10, protrusion 52 of the clamping element is received within one ofthe indents 20 of the pole. Clamping element 12, or more specificallyprotrusion 52, is received within an indent 20, which best correspondsto the desired positioning of the clamping element. Since chamfered edge58 is located adjacent cap 56 of protrusion 52, and the cap desirablyhas a diameter at least slightly less than indent 20, the protrusion iseasily received within the indent. As previously mentioned, sincecylindrical sidewall 54 has a diameter substantially equal to thediameter of indent 20, the friction between the two elements retains theprotrusion within the indent.

With clamping element 12 correctly in place, proximal end 24 of pole 10is received within aperture 64 of collar 14. Of course, collar 14 may beplaced about pole 10 prior to clamping element 12 engaging the pole.Collar 14 is than translated along longitudinal axis 28 in a directionof arrow A, as shown in FIG. 1, until coming in contact with clampingelement 12. Collar 14 is push downwardly onto clamping member 12 untilshoulder 72 abuts top surface 34 of the clamping element, therebyaffixing the two elements together at least relative to the direction ofarrow A.

In a preferred embodiment, circumferential wall 74 of collar 14 has aradius that is slightly smaller than a radius of outer surface 32 ofclamping element 12, at least when the clamping element is in its atrest position. Thus, when collar 14 is placed over clamping element 12,the collar squeezes the clamping element 12, such that the clampingelement tightly grips pole 10.

As shown in FIG. 6, once collar 14 and clamping element 12 arepositioned on pole 10, an adjustable arm bracket 80 and tilt structure82 may be attached to pole 10. Adjustable arm 80 includes an aperture 84at a first end 86 thereof. Pole 10 is slidably received within aperture80 of adjustable arm 80, which is translated downward until a bottomsurface 88 of first end 86 abuts and/or rests upon top surface 60 of thecollar. Once adjustable arm 80 and tilt structure 82, which is attachedto a second end of the adjustable arm, are correctly assembled, inrelation to pole 10, an electronic device such as flat panel monitor 90may be mounted to the assembly via tilt structure 82. Adjustable arm 80may be rotatable about longitudinal axis 28 of pole 10. Although anembodiment of the adjustable arm has been described herein, alternateadjustable arms may be used without deviating from the scope of thepresent invention such as that described in U.S. patent application Ser.No. 10/418,233, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated byreference herein.

Also as shown in FIG. 6, a completed assembly may include a mountingstand 92. Mounting stand 92 includes an aperture (not shown), whichreceives distal end 28 of pole 10 and enables the pole to stand upright.Mounting stand 92 may also include a collar or other receptacle 93 toreceive the distal end 28 of pole 10. Mounting stand 92 in conjunctionwith the rest of adjustable support apparatus 1, preferably enables theassembly to be placed on a desk or similar tabletop so that the flatpanel monitor 90 can be positioned correctly relative to a user such asa typist.

In an alternate embodiment, a clamp or other fixation element thatenables the adjustable support apparatus 1 to be secured to a fixture,such as a desk or even a wall, may replace mounting stand 92.

The adjustable arm assembly as described herein enables a person tomount a monitor or other device at a desired height for optimum work andenjoyment conditions.

If placement of the flat panel monitor 90 needs to be adjusted, theadjustable arm assembly may simply be disassembled and re-assembled withclamping element 12 moved to a more desired position relative to pole10. Since, clamping element 12 is only loosely secured to pole 10, priorto collar 14 squeezing it about the pole, the clamping element may betranslated along longitudinal axis 28 of the pole without inflictingscratches and unsightly damage to the pole.

With regard to the present disclosure, terms such as “downwardly” or“upwardly” are used to describe directions that are opposed to eachother without regard to any gravitational frame of reference. Similarly,terms such as “top” and “bottom” “over” and “under,” or “above” and“below” are used to describe the relative position to elements orassemblies within the frame of reference of the assembly itself.

For instance, in an alternate embodiment as shown in FIG. 6, pole 10 maybe mounted within a hole (not shown in the figures) of desk 94. In orderthat the pole does not slip entirely through the hole and under thedesk, an additional clamping element or second clamping element 12′ maybe affixed against the pole with protrusion 52 being received within adesired indent 20. Subsequently, or prior to pole 10 being placed withinthe hole, second collar 14′ is placed over the distal end 26. Similarly,as discussed with reference to clamping element 12, the top surface andbottom surface of clamping element 12′ engages shoulder 72 of collar 14′such that the collar and the clamping element are affixed to one anotherin a direction of arrow B. Therefore, since the engagement element 12′is positioned between and affixes collar 14′ to pole 10, the pole isunable to slide through the hole of desk 94. Of course, in thissituation, it is required that collar 14′ has a larger diameter than thediameter of the hole in desk 94. Additionally, as shown in FIG. 6,mounting structure 92 may be placed over the hole so as to provide amore pleasingly aesthetic look.

In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, a shown in FIG. 7,pole 110 may include at least a single elongate slot 102, with aplurality of grooves 104 being disposed along side. As shown in FIG. 7,grooves 104 are preferably slanted downward to provide enhancedstability. Elongate slot 102 preferably includes at least one open end106 located at either the proximal end 124 or the distal end 126 of pole110. Open end 106 is capable of receiving protrusion 52 of clampingelement 12. Once received therein, clamping element 12 may translatewithin elongate slot 102 until a desired position is achieved. In orderto loosely affix clamping element 12 to pole 10, the clamping elementcan be rotated so that protrusion 52 is received within a groove 104,which best approximates the desired positioning.

Once clamping element 12 is in position, as before, collar 14 may beplaced about the clamping element.

In yet another alternate embodiment, although not shown in the figures,pole 10 may include at least two adjacent rows of indents 20 exposed onthe exterior surface 22 of the pole. Similarly, clamping element 12 maybe provided with two protrusions projecting inwardly from inner surface30. The distance between the two protrusions 52 is equivalent to thedistance between adjacent rows of indents 20 such that when the clampingelement is juxtaposed against the pole; both protrusions may be receivedwithin adjacent indents.

In an alternate embodiment, although not shown in the figures, indents20 on pole 10 may be replaced with a plurality of protrusions, andprotrusion 52 of clamping element 12 may be replaced with an indent oraperture. Thus, the clamping element may engage the pole, with a portionof the pole i.e., a protrusion, being received within the clampingelement i.e., as contrasted with embodiments earlier described.

Therefore, since clamping element 12 is only loosely attached to pole10, prior to collar 14 being positioned about the clamping element, theclamping element may be translated along longitudinal axis 28 of thepole without damaging or scarring the pole. Additionally, by eliminatingthe need of a set-screw to connect collar 14 to pole 10, the chore ofhaving to try and align the set-screw with an indent of a pole, whiletranslating the set-screw into contact with the pole is eliminated. Thisgreatly reduces the “fiddle factor” of assembling the support apparatus.

Although the present invention herein has been described with referenceto particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodimentsare merely illustrative of the principles and applications of thepresent invention. It is therefore to be understood that numerousmodifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that otherarrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scopeof the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

1. An adjustable support apparatus comprising: a pole having a pluralityof first elements exposed at an exterior surface of said pole, said polefurther including a longitudinal axis; a clamping member having a topsurface, an outer surface, and an inner surface having a second element,said second element cooperating with one of said plurality of firstelements such that said clamping member is at least loosely affixed tosaid pole with said inner surface of said clamping member beingjuxtaposed to said exterior surface of said pole; and a collar having aninner surface, a top surface, a bottom surface and an aperture extendingfrom said top surface to said bottom surface, said inner surface of saidcollar including an inwardly projecting ridge, said aperture of saidcollar adapted for receiving said pole therein such that said collar istranslatable about said longitudinal axis of said pole, said collarbeing positioned about said clamping member so that said aperture ofsaid collar receives said clamping member therein and said inwardlyprojecting ridge abuts said top surface of said clamping member, therebyretaining said collar on said clamping member in at least one direction.2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said clamping member isC-shaped and includes a first end and a second end remote from eachother, said clamping member having a cavity defined by said innersurface of said clamping element, said pole being received within saidcavity of said clamping element.
 3. The apparatus according to claim 2,wherein said clamping member is flexible, and wherein a distance betweensaid first end and said second end may be increased or decreased.
 4. Theapparatus according to claim 2, wherein said top surface of saidclamping member includes a chamfered edge.
 5. The apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein said inner surface of said collar is circular and saidinwardly projecting ridge extends entirely around said inner surface ofsaid collar.
 6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said outersurface of said clamping member has a first diameter when in an at restposition and wherein said inner surface of said collar has a seconddiameter, said second diameter being less than said first diameter suchthat when said aperture of said collar receives said clamping membertherein said collar exerts an inwardly directed force against saidclamping member which subsequently causes said clamping member to abutsaid pole.
 7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said firstelement is an indent and said second element is a protrusion.
 8. Theapparatus according to claim 7, wherein said plurality indents of saidpole and said protrusion of said clamping element, both have a similarcircular shape.
 9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein saidplurality of first elements is aligned in a straight line.
 10. Theapparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an adjustable armconnectable to said pole at a first end thereof.
 11. The apparatusaccording to claim 1, further comprising a mounting stand connectable tosaid pole at a second end thereof.
 12. An adjustable support apparatuscomprising; a pole having a plurality of indents exposed at an exteriorsurface of said pole, said pole further including a longitudinal axis; acollar having an inner surface, a top surface, a bottom surface and anaperture extending from said top surface to said bottom surface, saidaperture of said collar adapted for receiving said pole therein suchthat said collar is translatable about said longitudinal axis of saidpole; and an engagement means positioned between said pole and saidcollar for affixing said collar to said pole.
 13. The apparatusaccording to claim 12, wherein said collar applies an inwardly directedforce against said engagement means such that said engagement meansclosely confronts said pole.
 14. The apparatus according to claim 12,wherein at least a portion of said engagement means is disposed withinone of said indents.
 15. The apparatus according to claim 12, whereinsaid inner surface of said collar is circular and said collar includesan inwardly projecting ridge extending around said inner surface of saidcollar.
 16. An adjustable arm apparatus comprising: a pole having areceiving means exposed at an exterior surface of said pole, said polefurther including a longitudinal axis; a collar means securable to saidpole; and an engagement means positioned between said pole and saidcollar means for affixing said collar means to said pole, wherein atleast a portion of said engagement means is received within saidreceiving means of said pole.
 17. A method of assembling an adjustablesupport apparatus, the method comprising: placing a pole in an uprightposition, said pole including a plurality of first elements exposed onan exterior surface of said pole; positioning a clamping member aboutsaid pole, said clamping member having a second element thereon;translating said clamping member along a longitudinal axis of said poleuntil reaching a desired position; affixing said clamping member to saidpole at said desired position by engaging said second element of saidclamping member with one of said plurality of first elements of saidpole; and placing a collar about said clamping member, said collar beingaffixed to said clamping member in at least one direction, said collarproviding an inwardly directed radial pressure against said clampingmember, thereby causing said clamping member to abut said exteriorsurface of said pole.
 18. The method according to claim 17, wherein saidstep of positioning said clamping member about said pole includesforcing said clamping member into an open position.
 19. The methodaccording to claim 17, wherein said first element is an indent and saidsecond element is a protrusion.
 20. The method according to claim 19,wherein said plurality of indents is exposed at said exterior surface ofsaid pole in a straight line.